Scholastic
Leads in Narrative Writing
The beginning, a very good place to start, is also a very difficult thing to craft. Provide your writers with this handout that identifies, and provides examples of, six different types of narrative leads.
Lake Afton Public Observatory
Shadows, Angles, and the Seasons
Shine some light on the topic of seasonal change with this collection of activities. Whether it's by measuring the change in the length of their shadows, or modeling the earth's orbit around the sun using a lamp and a globe, these simple...
Teacher's Corner
Haiku
The haiku, one of the most popular fixed forms, is the subject of this writing activity, the seventh in a series of ten poetry exercises.
Curated OER
What Are Cells?
Energize the cells of young biologists with an edible life science activity. Engaging students in exploring the inner workings of plant and animal cells, this activity involves using colored jello and various sweet and tasty treats to...
Dick Blick
ArtStraw Architecture
While architects and engineers don't often build with plastic straws and foam board, the same principles still apply. Challenging both the creativity and critical thinking of students, this engaging design project is perfect for art and...
Positively Autism
"What to Expect on the Fourth of July" Social Story
The social story "What to Expect on the Fourth of July" not only lets learners with autism know what to expect on this very American holiday, but also explains what behaviors are appropriate when at a fireworks display or picnic.
Curated OER
Tangerine: Vocabulary
Here's a great way to make vocabulary words drawn from Edward Bloor's novel Tangerine memorable. Kids create a word square, and in one quadrant write the word. A picture goes in a second quadrant, the definition in a third, and a...
The Art Of Education University
12 Hue Color Wheel
How do primary colors mix to create secondary colors? Young artists find out in this hands-on activity as they trace a template, paint in the primary colors, mix secondary colors, label, and cut out four separate color wheels.
International Debate Education Association
Speaking Across the Curriculum
With the focus on 21st century skills it is even more important that all teachers incorporate listening and speaking activities into their curriculum. Here's a packet of practical ideas appropriate for any classroom.
Curated OER
Manners at Work: Corporate Etiquette Study Guide
Although this study guide is meant to accompany a 20 minute video which is not included, the pre-test, role-play exercise, and the phone and electronic communication etiquette rules are of value.
Curated OER
Native American Tribes
Have your class learn about Native American tribes in California. They identify five regions where Native Americans lived, discuss the daily life of these people, and conduct research on a particular tribe. Afterward, they create a...
Curated OER
Animal Tracks Program
Entice your learners with this lesson on animal footprints. After reading the story Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin, they use photos to identify animals and their footprints. Then they participate in an activity to classify...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle - Main Components
Present the water cycle to your middle schoolers with this instructional activity. After an anticipatory set, they participate in a Q & A session about the terms associated with the water cycle: evaporation, transpiration,...
Curated OER
Shooting Basketball Stars
Lessons that have a little competition built into the skills drills because it helps the players focus more on what they should be practicing. Players practice lay-ups, mid-distance shots and long-range shots. They collect stars of...
Curated OER
Basic Needs of Living Things - Lesson One
An interesting way of teaching about basic needs of different organisms awaits your fourth graders. Pupils take part in class discussions and demonstrations which should lead to a greater understanding of how to determine basic needs. As...
Curated OER
Effective Writing is More Than a Five Paragraph Essay
Groups become experts in one aspect of the six traits of writing, prepare a PowerPoint presentation, jigsaw, and teach others about their trait. Writers then focus on these traits as they compose a persuasive essay about a person they...
Curated OER
Physical Education Word of the Week
Practice physical education vocabulary in your classroom. Working with language arts teachers, learners use dictionary skills to define and explain a word dealing with a concept in physical education. They also complete a task and have...
Curated OER
Boat Safety and Water Sports - Lesson 19 - Wake Board Tricks
Wake board tricks, like the tantrum, whirlybird, and the flip, are pretty advanced tricks to learn. This fun lesson describes how to perform each of these tricks. It takes a lot of practice, along with a lot of spills and tumbles, to be...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 3 - Topographical Maps and Contour Lines
Learn how to read a topographical map and understand what the contour lines mean. Explore longitude and latitude. Find a cliff, a valley, a mountain peak, and more. This is just one of the ten lessons in this unit on oreinteering....
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 4 - Distance and Height
Pretend that you've been dropped onto a mountain, in the middle of nowhere, and all you have to find your way is a topographical map and a compass. Could you find your way to the nearest town? Orienteering teaches the skills of map...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 5 - Compasses
Out in the middle of nowhere and not sure which way to turn? Learn how to use a compass so you don't ever have to be lost in the wilderness. Learn how to pick a landmark and get a bearing. This instructional activity is one part of a 10...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 6 - Compasses
Travel using a compass. Get your bearings! What does that mean? Choose a starting point, set your bearings, move to a location, and then use your bearings to return to the original starting point. It is of utmost importance to understand...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 7 - Compasses
More compass practice! This activity has your scholars practicing getting their bearings. They will participate in a schoolyard compass game where they will have a specific starting point and then navigate through the course according to...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 9 - Declination
What's the difference between true north and magnetic north? Lesson 9 has your class practicing mapping using a compass and taking the correct declination into account. This lesson is one part of a 10 lesson unit on orienteering. There...